Brandon University presents a community conversation to explore downtown plans

BRANDON – Brandon University will host a community conversation next week to explore the ongoing development of plans and options for the downtown site with all members of the public.

Following targeted consultations over the past few months, an earlier round of campus conversations this year, as well as open feedback online, several possible opportunities have been identified, and will be expanded on at these new sessions.

This public community conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6, and will be held from 5–6:30 p.m. in the Main Foyer of Brandon City Hall. This 90-minute session will be led by the external expert team that has been guiding pre-development work on the downtown, will expand on options that have been advanced so far, and will solicit further high-level feedback from members of the public. Those who are unable to attend will be able to view information from the session posted to BrandonU.ca/Downtown where they will also be able to contribute their thoughts and feedback.

Brandon University’s downtown development will sit on a large parcel of land that totals nearly 70,000 square feet. This amount of space downtown opens up new opportunities to advance the University’s priorities as stated in the BU Academic Plan as well as the themes that have emerged from the new BU Campus Master Plan. It will be one of the most significant developments for the University and City in decades.

Most of the development will be devoted to new residential space, with both new-concept student residences as well as seniors’ housing being considered. Along with the residential component, the future downtown initiative will include academic and learning spaces, plus a service, retail and commercial component. The University is committed to creating a mixed-use development that will add value to the existing neighbourhood, bringing new amenities and vitality to the downtown core.

A full pre-development report is expected by the spring.